Albania - Convert or Exchange Foreign Driver License

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Procedure

Go to the driving license testing centre in the province where you obtained your permanent residence.

Complete the Application for exchange of a driving license form at any driving license testing centre.

You must submit the required documents.

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Required Documents

• A personal identification document.
• A valid health certificate of the driver. The health certificate needs not be submitted if the health certificate data are valid in the traffic register and the state of health of the driver has not changed or if the health certificate data are presented in an electronic form.
• An electronic photograph made in the traffic register bureau or a document photo and an electronic signature given in the bureau.
• The driving license to be exchanged issued in a foreign country. When required, an International Driving Permit and/or its translation into Albanian language must be also supplied.
• A state fee must be paid for the issue of the Albanian driving license (if there is an obligation to pass examinations, there is a separate fee for those).

Office Locations & Contacts

Contacts for County Police Departments

Eligibility

If you hold a foreign driving license you may drive a vehicle in Albania for up to a year as long as you are old enough to drive in Albania (18 years) and hold a valid national or international driving license.

If you live in Albania for more than 12 months, you must convert your foreign driving license into an Albanian license. You must apply to convert your license before the 12 months are up.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Usually it takes 5-15 business days to get your Albanian Driving License. This because, the driving licenses are shipped on district basis (a big city is the main city of district). If you live in a big city, you get it usually within 5 business days, if you live in a small city, part of district, it takes a little bit longer.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

Foreign licenses issued need to be accompanied by a translation with revenue stamp. The translation must be certified by the diplomatic representative of the country having issued the driving license as being a true and faithful rendition of the original document. The certified translation must be validated by the competent offices.

When applying for the exchange, you must surrender your foreign license that will be replaced by the Albanian one.

The application must be submitted within the period of validity of the foreign license to the competent civil motorization office.

Required Information

• Surname of its owner
• Name and patronymic of its owner
• Date of birth and place of its owner
• Place of residence of its owner
• Issued by (body�s name)
• Date and place of issue
• Date of validity
• Number of license
• Signature of authorized person, seal of the body
• Blood group and signature
• Special marks

Need for the Document

In order to drive a vehicle in Albania you must be at least 18 years old and have a full driving license valid in your country of residence. You will need to have the photo part of the license and the paper part, you will also need to obtain an international drivers license.

If you have been granted Albanian permanent residence, you must convert your foreign driving license to an Albanian one within a year of receiving your permanent residence permit.

If you fail to convert your license within one year, it will be regarded as invalid.

Information which might help

You can have your license exchanged from a license issued by another country only by the authorities of Albania where you are resident.

They will exchange your original driving license for a local one. You will then be subject to the same rules as nationals of Albania regarding validity periods, medical checks and so on.

An International driver�s license/permit can only be used for one year. If you wish to drive in Albania for more than one year you must apply for an Albanian driver�s license.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

If you do not obtain a license in accordance with the proper procedures, you will be deemed as not having a license. You cannot drive a motor (moped) bicycle without a driver's license in Albania.

External Links

http://www.rac.co.uk/travel/driving-abroad/countries/albania

http://www.tirana.gov.al/en

http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/go/car-hire/albania/driving-information/

http://www.dpshtrr.gov.al/

http://www.asp.gov.al

Others

Visitors riding or driving in Albania must have reached the minimum age required to drive/ride a vehicle of equivalent category even if they are qualified to drive at a lower age in their country of residence. You must be 18 or over to drive a private vehicle in Albania.

Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. You will need an International Driving Permit, IDP 1949 to drive in Albania.